Jazz is a form of music that is easily identified, but the history of Jazz music is difficult to define. This prolific genre was created in the United States years before it was officially a nation. Elements of jazz arrived on the first ships carrying slaves that ported in the then French city of New Orleans. Other elements existed within the citizens of the city that were of Western European ancestry. Together the elements melded naturally into one of the most ethnically diverse forms of music ever known. http://www.jazzstyles.com

Though jazz can be defined in many ways, a few common ingredients have resulted in a myriad of musical evolutions throughout the years. Perhaps the primary view that defines jazz for many lies within its traditions above all else. The rhythms and steadfast styles that have existed since the early days of jazz music, often define the genre for many. However, other elements such as improvisation and the "swing feeling" that originated early in the 20th Century have propelled jazz into the new millennium with even more popularity. http://www.jazzstyles.com

From Barber Shop Quartets singing a cappella to the Big Band Era with its plethora of brass, string, and percussion instruments, Jazz is a dynamic form of music that is constantly evolving. http://www.barbershop.org Perhaps, a precursor to modern rock and roll, many rock bands utilize the rudiments of jazz. So many musicians and bands have crossed over either from jazz styles, or to them. Guitarists such as George Benson and Larry Carlton have contributed heavily to the rock era while never losing site of their roots in jazz music. http://www.progarchives.com/subgenre.asp?style=30

There have been so many iconic jazz artists such as the incomparable Miles Davis, Louis Armstrong and Thelonius Monk. Each defined different eras in jazz that paved the way for the newer stars like Kenney G, Wes Montgomery and Boney James just to name a few.

A truly American endeavor in music, jazz has crossed international lines many times over. Some of the most popular jazz bands and artists originate from countries throughout the world. . Adhering to the great diversity and immigrant culture that has partially defined the genre, modern bands such as Hiroshima utilize the traditional instruments and harmonies of Japanese music with a purely American sound. http://www.jazzhalloffame.com

Jazz is undoubtedly one of the most popular styles of music across the world today. For musicians who play this unique form of music, it is much more than a hobby or a profession. It is a passion. Jazz will continue to proliferate and evolve with new artists, new styles, and new songs for all to enjoy.http://www.discoverahobby.com/listenjazz.htm